FORT HOOD, Texas — Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist convicted in a November 2009 on-base shooting spree, received the death sentence Wednesday from a military jury.

Prosecutors had asked the 13-member jury for the death penalty, saying Hasan's murderous rampage at the sprawling military base here left tragic and devastating loss for victims and loved ones.

Hasan, 42, was convicted last week on 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 charges of attempted premeditated murder. He appeared expressionless upon hearing the verdict, which came after about 2½ hours of deliberations.

The death sentence required a unanimous verdict by the jury of 13 military officers. At minimum, Hasan faced life imprisonment. While Hasan could be the first serviceman executed by the military since 1961, the appellate process could take years.

Before an execution date is set, the death sentence will prompt automatic appeals at two military courts for the Army and then the armed forces, said Victor Hansen, a military law expert at the New England School of Law. If those fail, Hasan could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review his case and file motions in federal court. Moreover, the president must eventually sign off on a military death sentence....